NFL Roundup: Dementia Forces Denver Owner to Give Up Duties

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 12:00 a.m.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. | Even as dementia began to rob him of some of his fondest memories over the past few years, Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen reported to work every day to oversee multimillion-dollar upgrades to the team's training facilities and roster.

So his absence from Dove Valley headquarters on Wednesday as players reported for physicals on the eve of training camp was as jarring as the announcement that the 70-year-old Bowlen was giving up control of the team because of Alzheimer's disease.

"This place will never be the same," a choked-up general manager John Elway said. "... It's going to be very hard to not see him walk through the front doors every day."

Yet, Elway and team president Joe Ellis pledged to continue Bowlen's legacy and winning culture he fostered during his long stewardship of the franchise.

Ellis is adding the title of chief executive officer and will have final say on all matters.

"Mr. Bowlen has entrusted Joe to take his spot and he couldn't have appointed a better guy to step in for Pat," Elway said. "Joe's a guy that bleeds orange and blue."

Manziel has made headlines with his partying during the offseason, and a recent photo and video of him brought more scrutiny. While he was on vacation recently, Pettine called Manziel and they had a "positive conversation."

Pettine believes Manziel understands he needs to concentrate on football, and "he's going to have to probably be more dedicated than he has ever been."

Manziel begins training camp behind Brian Hoyer on Cleveland's depth chart. The Browns selected Manziel, one of college football's most popular players, in the first round of the NFL draft. Pettine, though, said the team will not be influenced by "external pressure" to name its starting quarterback.

Chiefs RB Charles Signs 2-Year Extension

Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles has reached a two-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The deal will keep Charles in Kansas City through the 2017 season, a person familiar with the contract said Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the team has not disclosed details. He is now expected to take part in the first practice scheduled for Thursday.

"I had no intention on holding out," Charles tweeted. "I just ran out of gas on the way to camp and my cellphone battery died. It was a long walk I tell ya."

The six-year NFL veteran ran for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns last year as the Chiefs reached the playoffs.

Patriots' Gronkowski Expects to Practice

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | Rob Gronkowski was a training camp spectator last summer while recovering from surgery.

This summer, after another operation, the New England Patriots star tight end is expected to be on the field for the first practice Thursday.

That's welcome news to his teammates after a season in which Gronkowski played just seven regular-season games. He missed the first six following back surgery about a month before camp and the last three, plus both playoff games, with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

"We were all hoping Gronk would have a good recovery and so far he has," Patriots left guard Logan Mankins said. "We'll just see where he is, how good he is right now. It's great to have him out there."

<p>ENGLEWOOD, Colo. | Even as dementia began to rob him of some of his fondest memories over the past few years, Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen reported to work every day to oversee multimillion-dollar upgrades to the team's training facilities and roster. </p><p>So his absence from Dove Valley headquarters on Wednesday as players reported for physicals on the eve of training camp was as jarring as the announcement that the 70-year-old Bowlen was giving up control of the team because of Alzheimer's disease. </p><p>"This place will never be the same," a choked-up general manager John Elway said. "... It's going to be very hard to not see him walk through the front doors every day." </p><p>Yet, Elway and team president Joe Ellis pledged to continue Bowlen's legacy and winning culture he fostered during his long stewardship of the franchise. </p><p>Ellis is adding the title of chief executive officer and will have final say on all matters. </p><p>"Mr. Bowlen has entrusted Joe to take his spot and he couldn't have appointed a better guy to step in for Pat," Elway said. "Joe's a guy that bleeds orange and blue." </p><p>Browns Expect Johnny to Be Good</p><p>BEREA, Ohio | Browns coach Mike Pettine says he's not worried about rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel's off-field behavior carrying into the football season. </p><p>Manziel has made headlines with his partying during the offseason, and a recent photo and video of him brought more scrutiny. While he was on vacation recently, Pettine called Manziel and they had a "positive conversation." </p><p>Pettine believes Manziel understands he needs to concentrate on football, and "he's going to have to probably be more dedicated than he has ever been." </p><p>Manziel begins training camp behind Brian Hoyer on Cleveland's depth chart. The Browns selected Manziel, one of college football's most popular players, in the first round of the NFL draft. Pettine, though, said the team will not be influenced by "external pressure" to name its starting quarterback.</p><p>Chiefs RB Charles Signs 2-Year Extension</p><p>Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles has reached a two-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. </p><p>The deal will keep Charles in Kansas City through the 2017 season, a person familiar with the contract said Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the team has not disclosed details. He is now expected to take part in the first practice scheduled for Thursday. </p><p>"I had no intention on holding out," Charles tweeted. "I just ran out of gas on the way to camp and my cellphone battery died. It was a long walk I tell ya." </p><p>The six-year NFL veteran ran for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns last year as the Chiefs reached the playoffs.</p><p>Patriots' Gronkowski Expects to Practice</p><p>FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | Rob Gronkowski was a training camp spectator last summer while recovering from surgery. </p><p>This summer, after another operation, the New England Patriots star tight end is expected to be on the field for the first practice Thursday. </p><p>That's welcome news to his teammates after a season in which Gronkowski played just seven regular-season games. He missed the first six following back surgery about a month before camp and the last three, plus both playoff games, with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. </p><p>"We were all hoping Gronk would have a good recovery and so far he has," Patriots left guard Logan Mankins said. "We'll just see where he is, how good he is right now. It's great to have him out there."</p>